Thy will be (not) done

When we pray the Lord's Prayer we recite the words, "Thy will be done". But do we really meant it?

Or do we mean "Thy will be done, as long as it is what I want"?

Let us consider whether it is God's will what is happening in the world today.

The world is in chaos. There's poverty in many countries, as well as wars, and persecutions, false imprisonments, injustice and illnesses and diseases.

Is this really God's will? That we should suffer all this?

There's also more evil at local and at the individual level too. People lying, cheating, stealing, being violent and murdering others.

A number of the examples above, (if not all), are specifically mentioned in the Ten Commandments.

But this does not stop people cheating on their spouses, or stealing from their employers, or committing bigger crimes.

Surely it cannot be said that all this is God's will being done on earth. Surely it is done against His will.

Let's consider what is God's will. Of course, we can only guess or presume, but let us see what we understand His will to be from what we have learnt from the Bible.

He is our Creator. He loves us. And He would wish us to lead a happy life on earth, in peace with each other, caring for each other, obeying His commandments, in preparation for the day when we return to meet Him again in Heaven.

I think that pretty much sums it up. His wish is that we love Him back in return and to spend eternity with Him.

But then, there are many who will not return to Him in Heaven. They don't even believe in Him, and, by their behaviour, would gladly, with impertinence perhaps, spend eternity away from Him.

Is that really God's will?

The answer is surely "No". It is not God's will that many of His creations turn their back on Him, mock Him and despise Him. It is not His will either that terrible things happen all around the world and so many people suffer.

He allows it to happen because He is not a controlling magician or superman at our beck and call ready to fix everything and anything that goes wrong in our lives.

He allows things to happen because in a lot of cases we have asked Him to keep out of our lives.

He allows them to happen because we want to enjoy and use the freedom and liberty which He has gifted us. He didn't make us robots. So we want to rebel, and do it our way. Why should He now stop us?

He also allows things to happen to give us the opportunity to be charitable, caring and loving towards those less fortunate than ourselves.

So, if at first glance, we assume that God's will is not being done; it is partly true.

His will is that of a loving Father who wants the best for His children.

Our will is that of the rebellious child who thinks he knows best and will do it his way after all.

It is man's will, and Evil's will, that has resulted in the chaos the world is in today.

Evil is a powerful force in our world, seemingly present everywhere, and is so difficult to eradicate.

God permits it within clearly defined limitations and parameters.

As Jesus prevails against it, we ask for his help never to give up in our struggle against the evil around us.